Woods announced Tuesday on his website and through his Twitter feed that continued back spasms forced him to withdraw from this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, where Woods is the two-time defending champion at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge.

Woods said he delivered the news personally with a phone call to Palmer. Woods also said it was “too early to know” about whether he could play in the Masters on April 10-13, his next scheduled start.

“I would like to express my regrets to the Orlando fans, the volunteers, the tournament staff and the sponsors for having to miss the event,” Woods said in the statement. “Unfortunately, my back spasms and the pain haven’t subsided.”

Woods, who withdrew during the final round of the Honda Classic on March 2 at Palm Beach Gardens, said he would continue to get medical treatment.

“I feel badly that I won’t be able to play in this great tournament this week,” he added in the statement.

Palmer said in a statement that he understood Woods' reason for caution with his injury.

"I am certainly sorry that Tiger is not able to play. Quite obviously, we will miss having him here this week," Palmer said in the statement. "He called me to tell me that his back was still giving him a lot of trouble and he didn’t feel he should play. I told him I understood and wished him well.”

Woods has missed Bay Hill only one other time since turning professional, in 2010 when he was dealing with personal scandal. He has often professed his admiration for Palmer, the tournament and the course. Woods played the final round in 2003 with severe food poisoning and shot 68 in cold rain to win by 11 shots.

Woods has entered only three tournaments this season. His best finish was a tie for 25th at Doral, when he shot a final-round 78 and failed to make a birdie on Sunday for the first time in his career. Woods was in visible back pain that week.

He missed the Sunday cut at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, another tournament in which he’s had great success.